Merrill Powell, parner and co-owner of Victress Manufacturing with Doc Boyce-Smith from 1953-1961, turns 82 years old today.

Happy Birthday Merrill!

Our “fearless leader of fiberglass” has joined us at nearly every significant fiber-event in the past 6 years including:

Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance, 2007

Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance, 2010

Petersen Automotive Museum “Fantasies of Fiberglass” exhibit, 2010

Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance, 2011

And a gaggle of other ‘glass and non-glass car related events

What better way to say “Happy Birthday” then to review some of the ways in which Merrill and his “Merry Band of Fiber-Followers” have enjoyed each other’s company over the past few years. The pictures shared are from the events mentioned above and other miscellaneous “car adventures” along the way these past many years.

And away we go….

Summary:

So please join us in wishing Merrill Powell a wonderful and fun “Happy Birthday” today by posting your well-wishes in the “Comments” area at the bottom of this story.

And word on the street is that Merrill and Gerianne may be attending the Salisbury Concours d’ Elegance in September of this year – where we will be holding a “Forgotten Fiberglass” class. Those of you attending may have an opportunity to say “hello” and “Happy Birthday” to Merrill in person. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that both can join us in September. Click here to learn more about the Salisbury Concours d’ Elegance.

So “Happy Birthday” Merrill, and may you have many more happy and healthy birthdays ahead of you.

Hope you enjoyed the story, and until next time…

Glass on gang…

Geoff
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About Geoffrey Hacker

Geoff Hacker is an automotive historian and is researching the history of
vintage fiberglass cars with his good friend Rick D'Louhy. Both are working on a book called Forgotten Fiberglass. Read more about Geoff's background on the "About Us" link of the Forgotten Fiberglass website. He can be reached at
geoffrey@forgottenfiberglass.com Tampa, Florida (813) 888-8882

Wishing you a fantastic birthday, Merrill. Beyond your terrific involvement with the earliest fiberglass sportscars so many years ago, you continue to help all of us “young guys” these days by sharing your depth of knowledge and providing great hands-on assistance. Any automotive event is enhanced by your presence, whether it’s in Amelia Island, FL, Milwaukee, WI or anywhere else. Many of us car guys are looking forward to seeing you again soon.

It seems like only yesterday when we both had our heads down in a bucket of resin, a cigarette hanging on our lips, fiberglass and ground-up asbestos floating in the air and no EPA! OMG!… those were the days! Cheers to both you and Gerianne. Get to bed early!!

Geoff: Thanks so much for the “This is Your Life” birthday present! It is an honor to have become involved in the telling of the “Forgotten Fiberglass” story, and to have met so many wonderful folks who have become caught in your fiberglass web. Thanks to all for your well-wishes.

All the best to you Merrill. Happy birthday ! I remember seeing you, and “Doc” and Bill Quirk at Victress many times while visiting my friend Alton Johnson when he was building his LeMans Coupe there.
You are truly one of the most important guys in the early development of the wonderful cars of forgotten fiberglass. I, and hundreds of other “car guys” thank you for your contributions & ideas. I believe this is a very much undiscovered part of our car culture and heritage that lies between hot rodding and “detroit”, and folks like you and Jeff and Rick are doing a remarkable job of bringing it out to the world to see & appreciate.

What a gift you’ve given the world! The returns of your creativity and leadership keep on giving to ever-widening circles of enthusiasts. Many more happy and healthy returns to you with my thanks and congratulations.

Happy Birthday, Merrill! You and Gerianne are a very important componant of this group of glassy-eyed enthusiastists… your time and efforts (and hospitality!) are very much appreciated…and your creations will continue to be appreciated as long as automobiles exist. Thank You!
Rodney

~ the best birthday song so far. Martina Mcbride & Jimmy Buffet team on ‘trip around the sun’. beautiful melody, philosophical lyrics, excellent images.http://youtu.be/3dV1myAW2Cs
many happy returns of the day, Merrill.
it is a wonderful thing when a man can enjoy happy years of comfortable health filled with remarkable achievements, i salute you, sir. all of that && you made so many other’s lives more enjoyable. success, damn fine!!.your friends on this page express admiration, praise, respect, is there anything you wished for your b’day would beat that? ? – scot

Happy Birthday, Merrill! I feel so lucky that I met you and had a chance to show you my S1A and my S5. It was such a special day for me. I’m looking forward to when you host a movie night and show “Not Tonight, Henry”. I’ve heard it’s truly an awesome film!

Happy Birthday Merrill!! You still have the enthusiasm of a twenty year old. Your efforts with Victress were a major positive impact on my life with the C3 completed in 1961.Who knew 50 years later it would still be a story.Have a great day!! Bill Packwood

~ ~ congratulations to you Geoff! i knew we were soon to be in for a huge jolt of news, information and entertainment from the front lines of fiberglass. another feather in a hat you’ll soon be having to replace with the upgraded model! scot

Happy Belated Birthday, Merrill . . . . I don’t know anybody else who is as immersed or versed in so many productive realms evolving from the fiberglass sports car creations of the fifties. You are a design and engineering genius who is truly interested in visiting with anybody who has a question for you, And you oh so happily have myriad plans for the future. . . . . looking forward to our next conversation. . . . and best regards to Gerianne . . . who is clearly your kindred
spirit . . . .

Clark, et al: Thanks again for all the kind words and wishes. I’m so happy to be able to help Geoff resurrect (sp) the history of Forgotten Fiberglass, and connect with old and new friends. When I left the fiberglass world for aerospace I never imagined I’d be reconnected 50-plus years later, and I’m having a ball!

All content presented on this website is the property ofForgottenFiberglass.com, Geoff Hacker, Ph.D., and Rick D’Louhy Ph.D. Use of these materials must be authorized by ForgottenFiberglass.com.Photos used with permission from their original source.